Vehicle-Attached Excavation Implement

Abstract

A vehicle-attached, task-associated excavation implement with interchangeable rotational excavation apparatuses is conceptualized in this application. The implement is similar to McGee's Tractor-Mounted Excavation Implement, but is conceptualized in a new way of combing parts or portions of the implement with vehicles currently existing in the prior art, without the need for a tractor equipped with power-take-off. This vehicle-attached implement can be supported by a variety of motorized vehicles, utilizing a variety of apparatus-powering options. An assortment of steering options could be used, and movements of the apparatuses, either with or separate from the implement, provide diverse functionality. Tasks supported by the rotational excavating apparatuses include Foundation footings, trenches, rounded ditches, shallow V-shaped ditches, landscape or garden beds, and shallow graded depressions for sidewalks or simple slabs. Excavating apparatuses have claws or cutting elements attached to surface at angles to propel soil directionally.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle-attached excavating implement for the task-associated excavation of depressions in the earth, whereby excavation tasks include, but are not limited to, forming foundation footings, ditches, trenches, landscape or gardening beds, or shallow graded excavations for sidewalks or simple slabs, and whereby excavated spoils are deposited on banks of a newly formed depression, with the implement comprising:
 a. a frame, booms or arms attached to or within a motorized vehicle that is propelled along the ground, with   b. a plurality of interchangeable task-associated rotational apparatuses, each mounted on a substantially horizontal rotatable axle or hub, in a variety of shapes for completing differing tasks, and   c. a means of harvesting and directing soil up, outside, and laterally away from or medially toward center of resulting excavated depression, comprising:
 i. at least one of said task-associated rotational excavating apparatuses of practical width and shape for designated excavation task, and 
 ii. a power diversion system relating power from the motorized vehicle or an independent source to selected rotational excavating apparatus. 
   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle-attached excavation implement as described in  claim 1 , wherein propulsion of vehicle, and thus implement, along the ground along the ground is facilitated by a means of reducing traction and slippage while improving stability and steadiness propulsion, with said means selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, wheels or continuous tracks, of steel or re-enforced rubber. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle-attached excavation implement described in  claim 1 , wherein said excavating implement is navigated or maneuvered along the ground with a steering mechanism either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle, selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, conventional steering, skid steer or zero-turn steering, remote or computer-assisted steering, or hand-guided steering such as walking, behind or beside, standing or sitting on platform. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle-attached excavation implement described in  claim 1 , with a means of rotating axle of task-associated excavating apparatuses either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle, with said means selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, hydraulics, power-take-off connection, or direct electro-mechanical connection. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle-attached excavation implement described in  claim 1 , with a means of extending and contracting task-associated excavating implement away from and back toward said motorized vehicle, with said means either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle.  14   
     
     
         6 . The vehicle-attached excavation machine described in  claim 1 , with a means of controlling depth of excavation, either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle, with said means selected from a group including, but not limited to, vertically raising or lowering of said excavating apparatus, along with or separate from the implement itself, using hydraulics, computer-assisted control, or laser-assisted technology. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle-attached excavation implement described in  claim 1 , with a means of accommodating incline of ground to be excavated or excavation incline through pivoting or tilting said excavation apparatus, along with or separate from the implement itself, with said means either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle-attached excavation implement described in  claim 1 , with a means to guard operator from excavated debris, with said means selected from a group including, but not limited to, chainmail curtains, bumpers, metal mesh, or simple plastic guards, with said means either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . A method for excavating, shaping, harvesting or mobilizing soil, whereby spoils are deposited on lateral banks of, or toward the center of, excavated depressions, utilizing an implement with interchangeable rotational excavation apparatuses for task-associated excavations, comprising:
 a. providing a motorized vehicle for implement attachment and for propelling and navigating task-associated excavation implement,   b. selecting an apparatus for designated task from a plurality of interchangeable apparatuses, each having its own shape, function, and associated task including, but not limited to, foundation footings, trenches, ditches, landscape or gardening beds, or shallow graded excavations for sidewalks or simple slabs,   c. mounting selected apparatus on a rotatable axle or hub, to or within the implement, substantially horizontal to the ground,   d. transferring power from said motorized vehicle or an independent source to selected apparatus' axle or hub, and   e. advancing and maneuvering said motorized vehicle with attached excavation implement along ground, with selected apparatus engaged and rotating, whereby forming an excavated depression, with spoils deposited on banks of excavated depression.   
     
     
         10 . The method of excavating, shaping, harvesting or mobilizing soil, as described in  claim 9 , with propulsion of vehicle, and thus implement, along the ground is facilitating by a means of reducing traction and slippage while improving stability and steadiness propulsion, with said means selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, wheels, or continuous tracks, of steel or re-enforced rubber. 
     
     
         11 . The method of excavating, shaping, harvesting or mobilizing soil, as described in  claim 9 , wherein said excavating implement is navigated or maneuvered along the ground with a steering mechanism either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle, selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, conventional steering, skid steer or zero-turn steering, remote or computer-assisted steering, or hand-guided steering such as walking, behind or beside, standing or sitting on platform. 
     
     
         12 . The method of excavating, shaping, harvesting or mobilizing soil, as described in  claim 9 , with a means of rotating axle of task-associated excavating apparatuses either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle, with said means selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, hydraulics, power-take-off connection, or direct electro-mechanical connection. 
     
     
         13 . The method of excavating, shaping, harvesting or mobilizing soil, as described in  claim 9 , with a means of extending and contracting task-associated excavating implement away from and back toward said motorized vehicle, with said means either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of excavating, shaping, harvesting or mobilizing soil, as described in  claim 9 , with a means of controlling depth of excavation, either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle, with said means selected from a group including, but not limited to, vertically raising or lowering axle of said excavating apparatus, along with or separate from the implement itself, using hydraulics, power-take-off connection, direct mechanical connection, computer-assisted control, or laser-assisted technology. 
     
     
         15 . The method of excavating, shaping, harvesting or mobilizing soil, as described in  claim 9 , with a means of accommodating incline of ground to be excavated or excavation incline through pivoting or tilting said excavation apparatus, along with or separate from the implement itself, with said means either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of excavating, shaping, harvesting or mobilizing soil, as described in  claim 9 , with a means to guard operator from excavated debris, with said means selected from a group including, but not limited to, chainmail curtains, bumpers, metal mesh, or simple plastic guards, with said means either integrated into the vehicle or independent from the vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . A plurality of interchangeable rotational excavation apparatuses for use in a vehicle-attached excavating implement, formed in a variety of shapes for excavating differing depressions, comprising:
 a. a substantially cylindrical, drum-shaped apparatus, whereby a foundational footing or trench with substantially vertical sides and a substantially flat, horizontal base may be excavated, with said drum-shaped cylindrical apparatus comprising a plurality of interconnected sections wherein said sections in lateral positions can be removed for excavating narrower footings or trenches,   b. a substantially cylindrical, drum-shaped apparatus, whereby a foundational footing or trench with substantially vertical sides and a substantially flat, horizontal base may be excavated, with said drum-shaped cylindrical apparatus comprising a plurality of interconnected sections wherein said sections in lateral positions can be removed for excavating narrower footings or trenches, and laterally extending tines can increase the width of excavated area with one or multiple sections in use,   c. a substantially spherical apparatus, whereby a substantially circular or rounded-U-shaped ditch may be excavated,   d. a substantially prolate ellipsoidal apparatus, whereby a substantially shallow parabolic or rounded-V-shaped ditch may be excavated.   e. a substantially concave-faced cylindrical apparatus, resembling an hourglass shape, whereby a substantially mounded bed with soil directed inward from two lateral excavated channels may be created, and   f. a substantially cylindrical roller-shaped apparatus, whereby a substantially level, shallow graded space for a sidewalk or simple slab may be excavated.   
     
     
         18 . The plurality of rotational excavation apparatuses described in  claim 17 , wherein each said rotational excavating apparatus comprises a base, of pre-determined shape and dimensions based on associated task, and a plurality of laterally or medially angled soil harvester claws or cutting elements attached to said base, at pre-determined intervals and angles, whereby soil is harvested, collected, and guided up to a surface and outward toward lateral borders or inward toward center of said excavated depressions. 
     
     
         19 . The plurality of rotational excavation apparatuses described in  claim 17 , wherein each rotational excavating apparatus is supported by an axle of pre-determined dimensions, with features appropriate for the associated task and dimensions, with said features selected from a group including, but not limited to, sweeper blades to further guide soil outward toward lateral depression borders and a telescoping nature for sectioned apparatuses.